Sixth Form News

Congratulations to the Year 12 Further Maths students for taking part in the Regional Heat of the UKMT Senior Maths Team Challenge. They thoroughly enjoyed the challenge and although they did not come away with the trophy, they acquired new problem solving skills and a hunger to come back next year and improve their placing.

On Tuesday 21 November, the A level English students spent the evening in the company of the Woman in Black. The play started playing at the Fortune Theatre in 1989 and has continued to terrify and enthral audiences since. Our students were no exception – many watched through barely open fingers and... it is a shame nobody filmed the moment Brynley jumped out of his skin after a particularly gruesome set piece.

The students are all exploring the Gothic genre, with modern examples all to hard to come by. However, Susan Hill’s 1983 novella, expertly adapted using a variety of meta-theatrical tricks by Stephen Mallatratt, conveys the essence of the genre brilliantly. It was evident that they will have lots to think about, especially as they will now have plenty of sleepless nights to fill…

The English Department took the A level English students (as well as some budding bards from Year 10) to the Barbican to watch The Royal Shakespeare Company’s production of ‘Coriolanus’. The play, forming part of the RSC Rome season, is a set text for Year 12 and 13 and is also covered in Year... 9. With its depiction of the abuse of power, the play has never been more relevant.

The production, directed by Angus Jackson, featured rising star Sope Dirisu as the eponymous hero. Dirisu gave a compelling performance, suggesting the vulnerability that lies beneath Coriolanus’ aggressive behaviour. A particularly bold move was casting the tribunes Sicinius and Brutus as female, giving the play a modern flavour. The other cast members combined to good effect, creating an ensemble that seamlessly merged from outraged Roman citizens to conspiring members of the Roman court.

Above all, the set design was particularly striking – a metal shutter divided the stage into two sections, suggested a divided city at the heart of the play. The final scene saw the stage bathed in a red glow, leading a poignant tone to an effective interpretation of a play of enduring relevance.

It was evident that the students appreciated seeing the play in performance – studying drama takes on a new dimension when seen rather than read, and this was no exception.

English literature A level students were treated to a rare and insightful panel discussion on Tuesday afternoon by two leading actors from the cast of Pinter’s ‘Betrayal’, performed at the Hampton Hill theatre last September 2016. Guy Holloway (Robert) invited fellow actor Steve Webb (Jerry) to...

On Monday evening our Year 12 and 13 history and geography students headed to North London to join the audience at a fascinating panel led discussion on the North Korean regime. The event concluded with a question and answer session, and it was great to see our students involve themselves so enthusiastically.

On Thursday 6th July, Hampton Court House witnessed a sporting event of such epic proportions that Wimbledon paled in comparison. The ever-enthralling Staff versus Students Cricket Match took on an added layer of grit as the fixture became the inaugural Staff vs. Sixth Form Match.

After choosing to... bowl first, student skipper Haydn Roberts sent down the first over to Graham Ainge and a regular pattern of fours and sixes was established. Graham raced past his half century before showing the kind of charity Haydn is known for and retiring. This brought Caroline Wass to the crease, who displayed remarkable cultural sensitivity in learning the most British of sports. After a roller coaster 15 overs, the staff amassed 196, with Selwyn Leamy ensuring that his last innings as a member of staff was as powerful as his art lessons.

Then it was the Sixth Form’s turn to bat. The first over, delivered by Tom Robson, gave a good indication of the trouble to come. Bob delivered the second over, and it was soon apparent that Hope is a dangerous thing. Three wickets in an over showed how deadly his variations are and the Sixth Form run chase was derailed. Some lusty blows from the lower order breathed some life into the chase and they finished on 100.

It was a fantastic occasion – a wonderful atmosphere and played in good spirits.

HCH students have their chance to vote in a mock general election. The ballot box will be in the main hall with counting due to start at the end of the school day! Results will be declared by tomorrow.